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5
Lena
Normally, I enjoy the Wild Haven social committee meetings. I’ve been on the team for the last two years and have helped plan over a dozen local events on the island. We have a lot of different festivals and activities that bring in tourists looking to get away from the hustle of the city for the weekend. They’re a big draw. The locals love them as well, because it means money being spent in stores, and Airbnb’s being rented out. Plus, it’s usually a fun, and sometimes, rowdy party.
Today’s meeting is being held at the library to discuss the Beltane festival, which is the next big event. Considering the panic and craziness of last weekend’s affair, we have more than a little PR work to do along with planning out the particulars of the event. A man was murdered and found downtown during the Ostara festival. That’s not exactly great marketing.
The committee has been the same for the last year. Some locals pop on for different festivals and help out when they can, but there are usually five of us who are consistently involved in organizing the details. Besides me there’s Octavia Beauchamp, who is pushing eighty, loves gin, and is known around town for swimming naked under the full moon. She swears it keeps her young.
Ben and Julian Smith are a couple that moved here full time about five years ago. They both had high-profile jobs in New York, but when Julian had a stroke at forty-five, they decided a calmer life was in order. Now they run The Glittering Page, a bookstore down the street from Rhys’s bar, all while Ben attempts to keep Julian calm. They’re truly yin and yang. Ben is quiet and laid back, while Julian is high-strung and slightly neurotic. They manage to balance each other out in a way that makes me wistful for someone in my life like that. Regardless of their neurosis, they’re both incredibly funny. Octavia too. It’s an odd little group we’ve assembled, but even when we don’t have committee meetings, we tend to get together for a drink to catch up.
The last person on the committee is Archer. He’s been involved just as long as me. Since he and Davis own a good chunk of properties on the island, it makes sense that they would be involved in the community as well. Archer is the obvious choice of the two of them since Davis generally avoids people at all costs.
The library is still open to the public, but Tuesday evenings are always quiet. I set out a few snacks on the long wooden study table that sits near the fireplace. Julian and Ben arrive first, as they always do, giving me quick hugs and a kiss on the cheek from Julian. He’s tall and thin, with bright red hair, and skin that burns at the slightest exposure to the sun. Ben is at least a head shorter than his husband, with close cropped black hair, and warm brown skin.
“Can you believe what happened the other night?” Julian squeezes my arm and releases me so Ben can give me a hug.
“Are you okay being here, so close to, you know?” Ben nods toward the front of the library where the murder happened. The crime tape came down yesterday, although I doubt my dad really collected any evidence. He knows who killed James Radford, so it doesn’t matter anyway.
“I’m fine, thanks Ben.” I pat his arm and slide a bowl of M&Ms toward him. They’re his favorite.
“Well, you just let us know if you need anything. Ben and I have started doing kickboxing.” Julian makes a grab for the bowl of candy, but Ben slaps his hand away.
“I wouldn’t call working out to videos on YouTube kickboxing, Julian.”
I hide my smile and set another bowl of M&M’s down for Julian. Octavia and Archer walk inside a few seconds later. My breath catches, and I do my best not to stare, but it’s so damn hard. Archer moves with a grace that is extraordinarily sexy. He doesn’t swagger; he doesn’t need to. He is effortlessly attractive. His walk is one of pure confidence and surety.
I never see Archer doubt himself, and I wonder if he ever has moments where he feels like a fraud. I have them all the time, and I just can’t imagine being so comfortable in your own skin that you never question yourself.
“Oh, honey, you’re drooling a little,” Julian whispers, and I shoot him a dirty look. He and Ben are constantly trying to push Archer and me together. Leaving meetings early, setting up a time for the group to work on decorations, or other prep for a festival, and then forgetting to show up.
“Shut it or I’ll take away your candy,” I hiss just as Octavia and Archer reach our table.
Julian gives me a pouty look and hugs his bowl closer.
Archer’s eyes are locked on mine, and I can’t look away no matter how hot my face is getting. Well, actually my entire body. I almost yank my sweater off, but I know everyone will make a comment about it.
“Hello, Lena. Gentlemen.” Archer pulls out a chair for Octavia, and then rounds the table to do the same for me. His hand brushes over my lower back as he moves beside me, and my stomach is inundated with flutters. It’s mortifying how much I crave his touch.
“Archer.”
“Lena.”
His smile grows as he scans down my body. “Today’s inspiration is… Nancy Drew?”
I frown, looking down at my dark blue plaid dress with a boat neck. I guess the cream-colored cardigan might be a bit uptight.
“Are we having a meeting, or are you two going to screw each other with your eyes for the next hour while we watch? I never knew you were an exhibitionist, Lena. Him, I could have guessed. You, not so much. Get it, girl.”
Archer sucks in his cheeks to keep from grinning, and I roll my eyes.
“Thanks, Octavia. Glad I can still surprise you.”
Octavia chuckles, and then Archer joins in as he sits next to me. Julian and Ben watch like they wish they had a bucket of popcorn to consume.
“Let’s get the meeting started, shall we?”
“No, no, no. Not yet, my dears. The party can’t start until I’m here.”
